–As Lagos ACPN Holds Continuing Education Conference
Community pharmacists in Lagos State, under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Branch, have been urged to prioritise research, collaboration, and innovation to enhance community pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
This call was made by key stakeholders in the health sector, including the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Babasheu Ahmed; the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba; the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh; and Prof. Joel Wannang, the immediate past Secretary-General of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), among others, at the 2025 Continuing Education Conference of ACPN Lagos State Chapter, held at the Yard 158 Event Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
Delivering the keynote address at the well-attended event, Wannang, a professor of Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology at the University of Jos, emphasised the importance of a research-driven pharmacy practice.
Speaking on the theme Transforming Community Pharmacy Practice through Collaboration, Research, and Innovation, he stressed that research remains the foundation of professional advancement, noting that no significant progress can be achieved without evidence-based practice.
“Everything we use today, including mobile phones, exists because of research. Pharmacists must recognise that lack of response to medication in some patients is not necessarily due to drug failure but could be influenced by genetic, enzymatic, or physiological factors,” he said.
He urged community pharmacists to move beyond merely dispensing medications to actively documenting medication therapy management and patient outcomes. According to him, this approach will not only elevate pharmacy practice in Nigeria but also enhance drug safety and effectiveness.
Prof Wannang lamented the emphasis on commerce over clinical application in community pharmacy practice, attributing this to economic pressures. He, however, insisted that pharmacists must prioritise professional competence over mere business transactions.
“Many pharmacists operate as traders, while patent medicine vendors freely dispense drugs with little or no regulation. This has eroded the profession’s credibility. In advanced countries, pharmacy practice is well-regulated, and pharmacists are accorded high respect. We must work to restore that standard here,” he stated.
He further highlighted the lack of interdisciplinary collaboration in Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that excluding pharmacists from clinical decision-making has contributed to the country’s poor global healthcare ranking.
Calling for stronger regulatory enforcement, he emphasised that while agencies like PCN and NAFDAC are making efforts, self-regulation among practitioners remains key.
“In a state of lawlessness, even obeying the law seems illegal. Pharmacists must uphold ethical standards voluntarily rather than waiting for enforcement,” he stated.
Similarly, the President of PSN, Pharm. Tanko, represented by the PSN Secretary, Pharm. Gafar Madehin, reaffirmed the society’s commitment to supporting research and collaboration in community pharmacy.
Acknowledging Lagos as the hub of pharmacy practice in Nigeria, contributing about 40 percent of the country’s pharmacies, he stressed the importance of pharmacists actively participating in research and training initiatives, noting that evidence-based practice is crucial for professional growth. He also called for greater synergy among all arms of the profession, advocating for a structured and unified approach to advancing pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
Speaking in the same vein, the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, emphasised the importance of collaboration, research, and innovation in transforming community pharmacy practice. He noted that disunity among state branches has hindered collective progress and urged pharmacists to align their agendas at both state and national levels for greater impact.
Ezeh also underscored the need for research, revealing that ACPN had established a Drug Information Centre and funded a research collaboration with a professor from a leading institution.
In his remarks, Dr Taiwo Filusi, Zonal Director of the PCN Lagos Office, who represented the Registrar, Pharm. Babasheu Ahmed, reiterated that community pharmacists are essential stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He reaffirmed PCN’s continuous support in fostering innovation and ensuring a conducive environment for pharmacy practice. He also urged pharmacists to harness the wealth of data generated in their daily operations for improved patient outcomes and national development. Additionally, he reassured practitioners of PCN’s commitment to tackling unlicensed drug sales and ensuring regulatory compliance.
In his welcome address, ACPN Lagos Chairman, Pharm. Tolu Ajayi, expressed gratitude to all attendees and emphasised the timeliness of the conference theme, given the rapid evolution of pharmacy practice.
Ajayi traced the progression of pharmacy from traditional medicine to clinical pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and interprofessional collaboration. He highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and telemedicine in healthcare and urged pharmacists to embrace innovation and experiential learning to stay relevant.
“With constant changes in our operating environment, digital technology, and data-driven decision-making, the only way to make an impact is to innovate and differentiate,” he said.
He encouraged delegates to engage actively with the insightful presentations lined up for the event and appreciated the efforts of the conference planning committee, sponsors, and dignitaries.
According to the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. Olaide Soetan, the conference served as a call to action for community pharmacists to embrace research, collaboration, and technological advancements, ensuring they play a pivotal role in the transformation of pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
